Online Construction Engineering Degree | Earn a College Degree Online

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Construction careers range from general contract work (those who build structures and homes) to civil engineering (those who build sewers, highways, and roads) and specialty trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring). Numerous expertise levels and training are needed throughout the industry. Manual laborers usually require the least amount of formal training, and architects, managers, and engineers typically require the most.

Online Construction Engineering Degree - Earn a College Degree Online

Study for construction careers can range from informal on-the-job training to master's and doctoral degrees. Two- and four-year degrees are available that offer a combination of diligent study and career possibilities. In spite of how much you study, many employers will ask that you apprentice first with seasoned professionals. Not only does an apprenticeship assist you in learning the essential elements of construction, but it can also provide the required safety background in an industry that features numerous potential hazards. Apprenticeships can last anywhere from months to years. Each successive year of formal training and on-the-job experience can eventually boost your overall earning potential and career advancement.

If you choose to pursue formal training, the classes you enroll in should reflect your major. Architects and engineers, for instance, tend to prefer mathematics and the physical sciences. On the other hand, construction managers, frequently concentrate on union-related and business administration areas. Background training in information technology and computer science might be a benefit due to the industry's growing dependence on computer-aided design programs and imaging software. Manual laborers can typically get by with training, but architects and structural engineers must obtain specialized degrees like a five-year bachelor's or two- or four-year master's degree.

Many construction students like the flexibility and ease of online career training, particularly within theoretical subjects like architecture and engineering. What is missing from these programs, however, is the hands-on experience that is crucial to this field. This is particularly true for workers who actually learn faster by doing rather than reading. Whether or not to choose an online degree program is a personal decision specific to your chosen career field and the needs of potential employers.

Job Opportunities for Graduates in Construction Engineering

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the construction industry is anticipating a shortage of qualified labor along with slower than average growth. So while new position might appear less frequently than the national average for other careers, those with advanced career training could be in greater demand. With 10 percent growth, in comparison to the national 11 percent average for all industries combined, the benefit of career training and specialized degrees is ultimately advantageous. On the other hand, architects and engineers can anticipate 18 percent industry growth over the next 10 years.


Online Construction Engineering Degree - Graduates - Earnings Statistics

For construction laborers, average hourly earnings cited by the BLS were $13.75 in 2006. The bottom10 percent made about $8 an hour, while the top 10 percent made more than $25 an hour. Construction equipment operators made an average hourly rate of $17.74, while the average annual income for construction managers was $73,500. Those with the most training and experience made the most money. The salary potential is better for engineers and architects, with the average income approximately $65,000 in 2006.

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